Top Five 1980s Television Helicopters

Hughies, choppers, whirlybirds, eggbeaters… whatever you call them, helicopters are cool and nowhere did they fly higher than in 1980s television. From simple civilian, rotary-wing aircraft to the most advanced gunships, here are the top five 1980s television helicopters.

“T.C.’s tour chopper”, Hughes 500D from Magnum P.I.

If you are a daring private investigator from Hawaii in a constant state of adventure and peril, you are going to need more than just a Ferrari. You are going to need a buddy with a helicopter to get you out of tight jams. Magnum P.I. has such a friend in T.C. and his Hughes 500D. Most of the time, T.C.’s light-turbine helicopter is used to charter tourists eager to explore breathtaking views of the Hawaiian Islands via his company, “Island Hoppers”. However, the small chopper also comes in handy when Magnum wants to perform some aerial resonance or needs an airlift out of a sticky situation. The aerial camera shots of T.C.’s helicopter are among the most beautiful and iconic of the show and the opener for one of the best intro themes of 1980s television . Do you want to take a ride in a Hughes over the islands yourself? You can book a charter on the Paradise Helicopter Tour’s “Magnum Experience”! An interesting fact: The helicopter’s iconic paint job, with its diagonal bands and bright colors, is not custom. The craft came that way.

CBS

“Screaming Mimi”, Sikorsky S-58DT from Riptide

Magnum wasn’t the only Vietnam War veteran turned private investigator to utilize a helicopter for adventure. Former Army buddies Cody and Rick had their hamstrung but steadfast Sikorsky 58DT called “Screaming Mimi”. One look at it and you’ll see where it gets its same. The chopper is painted pink with a gaudy, glaring mouth on the front and two green eyes on the sides. Could this be where Mimi from “The Drew Carey Show” got her look? Like T.C., Nick often utilized the Screaming Mimi for charter tours of Los Angeles as a side gig when not employing it for private investigative adventures. The Sikorsky 58DT series was originally used as an Army transport in the 1960s. Although being depicted as an outdated, surplus heap, the Sikorsky is still used today as a utility chopper and wildfire fighter. The last known location (as far as I could find) of the original Screaming Mimi was with Summit Helicopter in Pacolima, California. Incidentally, like Magnum P.I., the helicopter also introduces the show in Riptide’s theme.

NBC

“The Autochopper”, Bell 206 Jetranger from Automan

One would think that a holographic man from the cyberworld who can change into different vehicles to help cops catch bad guys would be a surefire hit in 1983. However, this Tron inspired series flopped and only lasted one season. That’s a shame because the show was a lot fun and one of the most underrated gems of 1980s action television. One of the vehicles Automan could change into was the “Autochoper”. This helicopter was a Bell 206 Jetranger with a blue neon outline because, well, it was supposed to be a computer-generated helicopter. It had a very similar look to Dillinger’s helicopter in Tron. Originally developed as a light observation craft for the military, the Bell 206 is still popular today among news outlets. You may likely get your local traffic reports from a Bell 206.

ABC

“Blue Thunder”, SA-341G Gazelle

I know what you’re saying: “Wait! Blue Thunder was a 1983 movie. I thought this list was about 80s action television shows!” What you might not have known is that there was a tv show based on the film which premiered in 1984. You might not know about it because it flopped after only one season. The tv show starred a young Dana Carvey as the stereotypical 80s nerdy, technically savvy sidekick. It also starred ex-football player Bubba Smith as the stereotypical 80s big guy mechanic. You might recognize him from the Police Academy movies. The helicopter itself was a French made SA-341G Gazelle. I know what you’re saying: “Wait! The Blue Thunder helicopter looks nothing like an SA-314G Gazelles!” Well, that’s because they traded the bulbous canopy with one framed from an AH-64 Apache gunship to make it look more badass. Tricky!

An original SA-341G

Modifed “Blue Thunder”, ABC

“Airwolf”, Bell 222

Now its time for the mother of all 1980s action television helicopters: “Airwolf”. Fictionally, Airwolf is a stealthy, bullet proof, supersonic fighting machine and the most advanced military aircraft in the world. In reality, it is a civilian transport and utility helicopter called a Bell 222 that was repainted and augmented with props to give it a sleek, tactical look. A sad, real-life story: After the show ended, the original Airwolf was reconverted back into a utility Bell 222 and sent to Germany. In 1992, it crashed into a mountain during a fog killing the three occupants onboard. Airwolf still lives on in California, however, atop a $250 million mansion in Bel Air complete with orange Hermès and Louis Vuitton leather. The replica was originally produced for an an aviation museum in Tennessee in 2006 which went defunct. The replica would eventually end up as a fixture of the egregiously extravagant mansion.

Airwolf replica at Bel Air mansion, via Check It Out Bro

CBS

Well, there you have it: The top five helicopters from 1980s action television. I hope you learned something and get a chance to check out these great 80s television shows again. Want more awesome vehicles from 80s action tv? Check out our picks for the coolest 80s TV cars. Until next time, I’ll leave you with this quote:

“The helicopter is a fine way to travel, but it induces a view of the world that only God and CEOs share on a regular basis.”

— Morley Safer